Mark Escarlote on Jan 16, 2019 10:56 PM

Chua almost saw his best scoring night go down the drain with a defensive lapse late in regulation but Abueva, who was throwing bricks for most of the game, came to the rescue with the game-winning putback that helped Phoenix escape Meralco, 93-92, in overtime Wednesday in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the Big Dome.

The big man breathed a sigh of relief as Abueva nailed his last of only two field goals in 13 attempts in the closing stretch of the extension.

But his night could’ve turned sour with a bad defensive play that forced the extra five minutes.

Phoenix was protecting an 83-81 advantage with under a minute left in regulation when Chua’s defensive lapse on Ranidel De Ocampo almost cost them the game. Chua failed to box out De Ocampo after Reynel Hugnatan missed on his long range shot, allowing the Bolts forward to haul the offensive board for a putback that tied the game at 83.